The Institute for Respiratory Health (Inc) is a not-for-profit medical research institute, carrying out scientific and clinical research into the treatment and management of lung disease including asthma, allergies, lung cancer, infectious diseases and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Within the Institute sits the Pleural Medicine Research Group which is led by Professor Gary Lee. Our Mission is that we bring together world-class researchers to develop new ideas, treatments and better health outcomes for people living with respiratory disease.

This Research Assistant position requires experience in handling clinical specimens and preclinical models, and skills in molecular and cellular biology including tissue culture and related techniques.

Other responsibilities include project management, data presentations, grant writing, day-to-day lab maintenance, data entry and analysis. The position is a full-time, 12 Months fix term

About You

You will be a motivated and organised individual who thrives in a team-based research environment. You will bring:

• A degree with Honours in biomedical science or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience

• Experience with cellular and molecular biology techniques (e.g. ELISA, PCR, flow cytometry)

• Experience with tissue culture, clinical sample processing, for research governed by Good Clinical Practice (GCP).

• Excellent attention to detail and record-keeping skills

• Strong written and verbal communication

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively

• Previous experience with preclinical models will be highly regarded.

Responsibilities will include:

· Collecting and preparing materials for research experiments and performing analysis as required.

· Obtaining informed written consent from study participants and collecting clinical samples in adherence to the rules and regulations as outlined in the relevant ethics approvals and in accordance with Good Clinical Practice

· Perform animal studies and adhere to the rules and regulations as outlined in the relevant animal ethics approvals in accordance with NHMRC guidelines.

· DNA and RNA extraction from human and animal blood and tissues.

· Maintaining human and mammalian cell lines.

· Performing routine molecular biology procedures including, but not limited to, real time PCR, RT-PCR, TaqMan assays, cell transfections, Western blot, FACS and ELISA.

· Liaising with the lead researcher on each project to ensure the workload is managed effectively, the quality of the data gathered is high and the analyses are accurate.

· Maintenance of experimental records.

· Maintenance of study database

· Preparing results for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

· Maintaining laboratory equipment and stocks of consumables.

· Keeping laboratory protocols up to date.

Other duties:

· Any other duties within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by line management.

· Follow the Institute’s policies and support the pursuit of its objectives

· Follow all Occupational Safety & Health Regulations